"Earthworms will be present in a good compost pile," she adds. According to Turner, "If it is done well, a 3-foot pile can be ready in two to three weeks. Consider making leaf mold if you don't ...

Most leaves can be turned into leaf mould, but some take longer to compost than others. Oak, alder and hornbeam will soon rot down, while sycamore, beech, horse chestnut and sweet chestnut take a ...

Dig a hole larger than the root ball of the plant, and if your soil is poor, incorporate a spadeful of organic matter like well rotted compost or leaf mold. If your soil is very heavy, you can add ...